Power Loconet Devices with a Modified UP5

Introduction

Since Rail Sync signals are not needed for Digitrax throttles and radio receivers/transceivers it is possible to use wires 1 and 6 in the LocoNet cable for other purposes when connecting to such devices. One such very useful purpose is to provide additional power to devices connected to the LocoNet that do not require Rail Sync signals, so those devices do not otherwise load down the Rail Sync signals. Two such purposes are:

Connect a series of UP5s or equivalent together and have them powered using a single cable to make the connection from one unit to the next, ensuring that throttles plugged into the UP5s get the proper voltage to operate. The use of a single cable is important so that modular layouts, such as NTRAK, can be easily hooked up and disconnected. Such an arrangement can reduce or eliminate the need to connect power supplies, such as the PS14, to individual UP5s.

UR90 IR receivers, UR91 receivers and UR92 duplex transceivers can also be powered through the same arrangement as the throttles. The UR devices draw about 60 mA each or about the same as two throttles. Like throttles and the UP5s the URs can draw their power from pins 1 and 6 on the rear LocoNet jacks.A Digitrax PS14 Power Supply can output 300 mA which should be sufficient to support about 10 throttles or four UR units. A regular LocoNet cable can support this amount of current over pretty good distances without excessive voltage loss.This approach is designed to use the regular LocoNet cable, flat with 6 wires and RJ connectors on each end, as the cable. UP5's with some simple modifications, are the devices that create and inject power into wires 1 and 6.Note – Digitrax has neither reviewed nor approved these modifications. You are responsible for understanding and safely applying these modifications.